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Original poster

DD DofE in this heat - won't use handheld fan...

97 replies

OneDayInYourLife · 09/07/2022 05:44

Hi! 15 YO DD doing her D of E this weekend which is a huge worry with the heatwave, she is very pale and won't cope well with the heat.

Obvs trying to equip her with what she needs to be comfortable. I have bought her a hand held fan and she refuses to take it 'because everyone will want to use it'.

I understand what she's saying, she's 15 and peer pressure is more important than her own wellbeing and health, but how can I make her understand sometimes she needs to do what's right for her?

She says that if she has one, someone from her group will ask to use it, so then she won't have one. If she says no they can't use it, she'll come across as an asshole and they'll be stroppy and make the whole thing miserable (they will).

How can I help my DD with this?

OP posts:
UrsulaPandress · 09/07/2022 05:50

When are you anticipating she will use the fan?

Sounds like extra weight and extra worry to me.

bbqhulahoop · 09/07/2022 05:51

Buy them for the whole group? Not sure you can do much else

MmeMeursault · 09/07/2022 05:55

I'm assuming you've never done DofE yourself.

Carrying it will be a pain the arse. They'll be hot, sweaty, stinky, hungry and tired and that's just before they start bickering about getting lost.

Really, a hand held fan is a tad precious in the circumstances.

If your DD is that fragile or susceptible to heat then maybe DofE isn't for her.

GiltEdges · 09/07/2022 05:57

Really, a hand held fan is a tad precious in the circumstances. M

This

soffritoes · 09/07/2022 06:03

A fan isn't remotely practical. If you want to buy her some extra kit, then a cooling neck towel might be a good option. As a bonus, people are unlikely to want to share it!

HappyHappyHermit · 09/07/2022 06:04

I'd focus on making sure she wears thin cotton clothing, sticks to shade wherever possible and drinks plenty of water. When we did DofE it was essentials only, a fan wouldn't really help that much. Plenty of people go and walk the Camino in Spain in far hotter conditions, she will be fine if she is prepared and sensible.

Original poster
OneDayInYourLife · 09/07/2022 06:05

Really? A handheld fan was recommended by a friend at a different school who's an administrator for D of E. The handheld fan has a clip for the backpack and a lanyard to carry around the neck and it weighs next to nothing. The handle also becomes a stand so it can be used handsfree in the tent. Obviously I won't be purchasing fans for everyone in the group as they're £20 each and they're not my kids!

OP posts:
Original poster
OneDayInYourLife · 09/07/2022 06:07

Never heard of cooling neck towels thanks, I'll take a look.

OP posts:
Cocowatermelon · 09/07/2022 06:16

A bottle of water with a misting function will help (could just be a standard spay bottle that’s not had cleaning spray in it). It’s like instant sweat. You spray water on your skin and it cools you as it evaporates.

PurBal · 09/07/2022 06:18

You’re better off buying a larger hydration bladder so she doesn’t get dehydrated.

halfsiesonapotnoodle · 09/07/2022 06:24

Yes, cooling neck towel is fabulous.

OperaStation · 09/07/2022 06:25

She needs to carry more water. What non-essentials can she get rid of to make more space for water? She’ll only need a light sleeping bag.

LittleSockOfHorrors · 09/07/2022 06:30

I don't think you can help her with it. I think she's right. She will look like an asshole if she's got a fan and she won't let anyone in her group have a go of it so then she's got the responsibility of a fan and very little benefit of a fan.

Your friend would have been better off suggesting a traditional folding fan or a small spray bottle of water. She doesn't sound very experienced at teenagers.

My dd is doing hers today. She's cut down on what she is taking due to the heat so that will help. She's not taking any trousers at all now for example.

Original poster
OneDayInYourLife · 09/07/2022 06:46

Thank you @LittleSockOfHorrors. What is your DD taking instead of trousers?

OP posts:
LittleSockOfHorrors · 09/07/2022 06:51

Shorts. She's wearing shorts and taking jersey shorts to sleep in and to use as emergency shorts in case she falls in a cow pat.

In her practice one she wore trousers, took tracksuit bottoms to sleep in and took another pair of walking trousers in case she got wet. And waterproof trousers!

So all that has gone,

FAQs · 09/07/2022 06:53

Something soaking wet like a tea towel over her neck will immediately cool her down plus loads of water and a hat.

FAQs · 09/07/2022 06:55

Just seen already mentioned, Argos do them with a click and collect.

Original poster
OneDayInYourLife · 09/07/2022 06:56

See my friend has also advised against shorts because of brambles, sunburn, nettles, ticks, etc. In all fairness, DD wouldn't wear shorts anyway, too self conscious.

OP posts:
est1899 · 09/07/2022 06:59

I'd love a handheld fan but can see why your daughter wouldn't. I did DofE 17 years ago now and it was sweltering that summer.

She needs to take lots of extra water. A bucket type hat. Electrolyte gel is a good idea aswell. The little gel sachet type things. Protein bars. Loose fitting t shirts. Plenty of extra pants.

A tea towel will quickly dry out in the heat and then become pointless.

LactoseTheIntolerant · 09/07/2022 07:05

I think you should leave her to it she's 15 not 5 (and I say this as a mum of a 15 year old myself). When my ds did DOfE he woefully under packed, but he won't do it again lesson learnt, they've got to start thinking for themselves at some point!

yellowtotebag · 09/07/2022 07:05

I would be far less worried about cooling down - as long as she’s got enough water and some electrolyte gels.

I would be so much more worried about sunburn. I am really fair and if I am in the open countryside and my suncream has sweated/worn off I will start to burn within minutes. So so so much suncream, a hat so her face is covered. Very thin trousers better than shorts so legs are covered and don’t need to worry as much with burning. I wouldn’t get one of those water spritz things because if she’s got suncream on and uses it it’ll just wash her suncream off.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 09/07/2022 07:06

Has she got a sunhat with a big brim?

If she wets it in streams when she can, that will also help to keep her cool.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 09/07/2022 07:08

YYY to light trousers rather than shorts to protect her legs from sunburn, scratches, ticks etc. (I’m a trained mountain leader band I work outside. And burn very easily).

AngelicaElizaAndPeggy · 09/07/2022 07:11

Apologies if this sounds bad, but isn't the point of DofE to try and be a bit independent and challenge yourself? You've given her the option of a fan and advised her about heat, she has said no. She might have other ideas or strategies she's thought of. Or she might have to adapt on the way. But that's the challenge of DofE.

AngelicaElizaAndPeggy · 09/07/2022 07:13

Yes yes to the light trousers and wide brimmed hat and LOADS of suncream. Sunburn is even worse when you are walking in a straight line on a fixed bearing!

I hope she has a brilliant time.